Ellicott City

May 27 2026 Peace and Good, I have settled into a routine of helping out at the Shrine or Nursing Home, doing some writing projects and taping the daily scripture reflections. It is all going very well. I have also been called by various groups to give talks or weekends of recollection. I really get a lot out of that. I am working on a series of articles on archeological discoveries that shed light on some aspect of the Bible for our magazine in Padua. I write for the English edition, and have been writing for them since 1982. I am also writing small reflections for Sunday and Tuesday Masses here at the Shrine on St. Francis and St. Anthony for the Year of St. Francis we are celebrating this year. This past week we held the first part of our provincial chapter at the Maratine Center here in Baltimore. There were about 70 of us, and we elected the new definitory (council), made a few decisions, and discussed some items that we will cover in the second session at the end of July. The spirit among the friars was very positive. Even when we had to discuss a couple of touchy issues, there was a sense of concern and respect. I will be going to Pittsburgh tomorrow for a weekend retreat for a group of Secular Franciscans. I finished some reading and listening: The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry by Henri Nouwen This is a short reflection on the teaching of the Desert Fathers and Mothers and its application to ministry today. It especially deals with topics like solitude, silence and prayer and why they are so essential for people who guide others in this chaotic and every changing world. History’s Greatest Battles by Nigel Cawthorne This is an account of some of the most important battle fought through history, from the earliest times to recent days. The information is not all that new, but it is interesting to hear the story once again and be able to put it in perspective with all the other battles. Unlocking the Hidden History of DNA by Sam Kean This is a Teaching Company course on the discovery and study of DNA. It deals with the historic process of identifying what carries the message for our inheritance, and also with some of the recent questions arising from our ability to manipulate the genetic message (for the good, hopefully, but also with great potential for misuse). The professor is good and presents the material in a way that is understandable. Introduction to Judaism by Shai Cherry This is a Great Courses introduction to Judaism, its history, its beliefs, and its practices. The course is well done and gives considerable information about this faith. Cherry is a good lecturer and I would recommend this course to anyone. The Roman Civil Wars of the 3rd and 4th Centuries by Charles River Editors The 3rd and 4th centuries AD of Roman history were traumatic. The earlier period was marked by a rapid overthrow of emperors and civil war fought all throughout the empire. Toward the end of the 3rd century, Vespasian came to power who calmed the situation and created a new form of government in which the power was split among four leaders (two called Augusti, two Caesars). This was overthrown by the Emperor Constantine who, after another series of wars, was able to concentrate all the power in his own hands. Japan Runs Wild: 1942-1943 by Peter Harmsen This is an account of the beginning of World War II in the Pacific (at least the beginning in the sense of the involvement of America and European powers). Harmsen gives a good account of the action and the strategy behind the moves by the allies and Japan during this era. It marks the high point of Japanese conquest and the beginning of their fall. Morisot by Delphi Art Classics Berte Morisot was one of the few female impressionist artists in France during the dawning and full measure of that movement. Her story is told in the Delphi great artist series which gives short accounts of her life and career accompanied by copies of the pictures she painted at that time. It then gives a catalog of many more of her works. Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England by Thomas Penn This is the story of Henry VII of England, the king who began the Tudor dynasty. He defeated King Richard III to take the throne, and while he brought a period of stability to the reign, he also proved to be a most avaricious monarch. He surrounded himself with disreputable deputies who extorted money from anyone who crossed their paths. They imprisoned people for no good reason just to force them to pay bribes which mostly went to the king but at times went into their own pockets. Two of the most nefarious of these deputies were tried and killed shortly after Henry VIII took the throne. Queen Victoria’s Children by John Van der Kiste This is an account of Queen Victoria and her many children (nine). It deals both with their personalities and careers, but also with the attitude of Victoria toward them (which often involved massive interference in their lives). Her children and grandchildren were married into almost every royal family in Europe, for better or worse. The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia 1772-1832 by Alan Taylor This is the story of slavery in Virginia before, during and after the British American War of 1812-1814. The British advertised among the slaves that if they came over to the British side, they would be liberated. This caused an exodus of slaves from their plantations, especially in Tidewater Virginia. Taylor examines the details of this era, but also the attitudes of slaves and slave owners and of the British who got involved in the question. The Great Dissent by Thomas Healy This is the story of how Justice Oliver Wendel Holmes wrote a descent on a case involving free speech. Although he was on the losing side of the argument, what he said eventually came to be the litmus test for whether free speech should be allowed or not. Previously, free speech was largely defined as being able to say or print what you wanted without previous censorship, but one was then subject to possible prosecution afterwards. Holmes argued that free speech was essential to sort out the truth from the various opinions, and the only speech that could be restricted was that which caused an immediate danger to society or individuals. The Modern Scholar: Liberty and Its Price: Understanding the French Revolution by Donald Sutherland This is a series of lectures on the beginning and conduct and end of the French Revolution. Sutherland is good at describing the social and economic and jurisdictional factors that led to the revolution and on how it spun out of control, descending into the Reign of Terror. He gives a good description of the people involved and the politics of France and its surrounding neighbors. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

I have been home in Ellicott City for the past couple of weeks. When I am not helping in the Shrine with Mass, confessions or presentations, or at the St. Joseph Nursing Home in Catonsville, I have been working on some shorter writing projects and the daily reflections for the daily Mass readings. Summer has arrived, and then left for a few days, and has now come back. It has been a strange winter and spring. I started a two presentation course on the prophets this past Saturday. These are full day classes, from 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30. The first class dealt with the minor prophets (there are 12 of them). The next class this Saturday will cover the major prophets: Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah. I have spoken with the head of the deacons' office of continuing formation, and it looks like I will be offerings some material via zoom for the deacons and their wives in the archdiocese. We will start with three classes on the Book of Revelation in June and see how it goes. I have gotten the final OK from the osteopath on my two broken elbows. They pretty much healed on their own, without casts. It did take quite a bit of time, though, something the doctor reminded me of due to my age. I have also gotten hearing aids. I noticed that it was more and more dificult for me to hear questions whenever I would give classes. I have always had difficulty hearing things when there is a background noise, but lately it has become more obvious to me and to others. I have also been giving some individual conferences and weekends of recollection. The next one will be at the end of May in Pittsburgh. I finished some reading and listening: The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson This is the account of how scientists argued and eventually decided to demote the status of Pluto from a planet to something less than that. The emotional response to this move is interesting and even entertaining. Tyson describes the difficulty of making this move given that there was not a firm definition of what a planet was. Hildegard of Bingen: Discovering the Woman of Light by Lyn Holley Doucet Hildegard was a German nun who had mystical visions which were eventually depicted in artwork done at her request. She was a leader and also a doctor (concerning the use of medicinal plants) and musician (developing music rhythms for songs and psalms). The presentation is good, but at times it became too laudatory and descriptive rather than insightful. The Stanford Prison Experiment by Charles River Editors This is the account of a very questionable experiment in which students were to play roles of prisoners or prison guards for a period of time to see how they would respond to their roles. The prison guards quickly developed an aggressive and sadistic viewpoint toward the prisoners. The test was terminated early due to serious concerns for the mental health of the participants. There were questions concerning how much the participants had been programmed for the roles they were to play. Biological Anthropology: An Evolutionary Perspective by Barbara King This is a Great Courses presentation on the past, present and future of the human being. King deals with the lessons to learn from observations made on the physiology and activities of other primate species, the evolution of the human being, lessons to learn from genetic and cultural influences on human beings, etc. King has a bit of an ax to grind with those who deny evolution, but other than that, she gives a tremendous presentation of various dimensions of the topic. Eyewitness 1900-1909: Joanna Bourke This is a set of three hour long presentations from eye-witnesses who lived during the early decade of the 20th century (in Great Britain). They deals with the Boer War, culture and recreation, the social tensions caused by the great divide in economic classes in the era, etc. Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World by Dan Koeppel This is a history of the banana. It deals with biological questions, the historic use of the banana, the growth of its importance in the diets of some cultures, and of the multi-nationals that controlled its growth and sale in the 19th and especially the 20th centuries (and their control of governments and economies in the countries where it is grown, giving rise to the phrase “banana republics.” It even deals with some of the diseases that affect the fruit and of attempts of combat these difficulties. Being There by Jerzy Kozinski A movie was made from this short novel. It deals with a young man who is mentally deficient who cares for the garden of his grandfather until he died. When the grandfather dies, no one knows that he was related to the family and he is put out on the street. There, by accident he meets a rich woman who puts him up. She and her husband take a shine to him and he is introduced to the President through their efforts. He mouths his wisdom of the garden when asked an important economics question, and everyone takes him to be a genius when he is simply telling them what he learned in the garden. Buried Deep by Margot Hunt This is a short novella about a man who is accused of murder when a skeleton is found of a woman who disappeared decades before. It is told from the point of view of the man’s wife, and it deals with her attempt to make sense of what is happening and to respond to the chaos.The History and Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age by Eamonn Gearon The History and Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age by Eamonn Gearon This is a Great Courses presentation on the Islamic Renaissance which ran from the foundation of the city of Bagdad and its House of Wisdom to its destruction (c. 9th to the end of the 13th century AD). This is a topic that many in the west have not encountered, but the author shows the learning of this center of culture (e.g. medicine, astrology, philosophy, chemistry, etc.). I would recommend this study for those who want to examine this development which had huge influences upon the development of similar studies in the west in the coming centuries. Genghis Khan by Patrick Auerbach This is a short biography of the life and career of one of the greatest conquerors in history. Born into a minor tribe, Genghis Khan was able to unite warning factions in Mongolia to become a powerful conquering army. Auerbach especially deals with his early life and his conquest of the local tribes and the beginning of the conquest of the Muslim empires and China. He sort of drops his story at a certain point in Genghis’ career and simply tells one that he died. 5 Lessons from Sartre by Oswald Sobrino This is part of the series by Sobrino in which he takes five ideas from a major figure, gives an explanation of the ideas, and then applies them to today’s world. In this case, he deals with the existentialist but atheistic French philosopher Sartre. He shows what is useful in some of Sartre’s writings, even to those who believe in God. The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction by Christopher Kelly This is one of the very short introduction courses. They are about four to five hours long in audio format. They give a series of extended presentations that deal with the topic rather than a systematic outline of the stated topic. This one deals with topics such of Christian persecution, Roman imperialism, some of the emperors’ reigns, etc. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Ocean City

Peace and Good April 20, 2026 I just got back from several days at the friar's place in Ocean City, MD. A few minutes of hearing the waves is all I need to feel the peace descend over me. I do not go to the beach as much as take long walks and just try to live with a very loose schedule. During those days I was able to do a bit of writing, a bit of taping. Not too much, but enough to get caught up with a few projects. I am back in Ellicott City these days. A lot of spiritual direection appointments, and helping out at the shrine. About 10 days ago I got my hearing aids. I was having more and more difficulties following conversations, and getting the aids has helped a lot. I am still getting used to them - e.g. hearing sounds like my feet walking and the wind blowing. The friars had a meeting to get ready for our Provincial Chapter (a week in May and a week in July). We meet every four years to plan the future of the province. The assimbly we had a couple of weeks ago had a very good spirit. We have re-elected our proviincial for another four years. He is doing a great job. Last week here in Baltimore was nice and hot, and then it disappeared for a few days of cold. I finished some reading and listening: Agent 110 by Scott Miller This is the story of the World War II career of Allen Dulles whose codename while he worked for the OSS was agent 110. He served as the agent in chief in Switzerland and obtained important information from the Allied cause, especially from a German spy named Fritz Kolbe. He was not the most moral of men, especially in terms of marital infidelity. He would eventually come to be the director of the CIA, working closely with his brother who was Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles. Thurgood Marshall: Mr. Civil Rights and the Fight for Racial Justice This is a Learn25 course on Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice of the Supreme Court. It follows his education and his early career as a civil right lawyer. It deals with his career which began with him being a civil rights lawyer. One of the most important cases he worked upon was Brown vs. the Board of Education. He was named a circuit judge by JFK, then Solicitor General and then Associate Supreme Court judge by LBJ. The tone of the presentation is a bit too adulatory, but the material is very good. The Novel that Invented Modernity: Don Quixote de La Mancha by Illan Stavans This is a Modern Scholar course on the content and import of the story of Don Quixote. Stavans investigates the culture of Spain at the time that Cervantes wrote his novel. He speaks of the various characters and the roles that they both play on the surface and the deeper meaning of their depiction. He presents some of the inside jokes and irony that Cervantes uses in his story. The course is very well done. 5 Lessons from Seneca by Oswald Sobrino This is a series of short books by Sobrino in which he takes five ideas of a major thinker and then applies them to our modern situation. Seneca is a Roman philosopher of the Stoic school who happened to be a mentor of the infamous emperor Nero. This volume speaks of everyday topics such as friendship, aging, etc. It is very well done. The African Experience from ‘Lucy’ to Mandela by Kenneth Vickery This is a Great Courses Presentation by a scholar who has studied Africa (and especially Zambia) extensively. He gives a good outline of pre-colonial empires, colonialism, and post-colonialism. He speak of the politics, warfare, culture of the peoples of Africa. He makes very clear that there is not just one stereotypical Africa, but rather many variants upon the continent. The Doubting Disease: Help for Scrupulosity by Joseph Chiorrochi This book deals with the question of scrupulosity and its psychological sources and its possible treatments. This deals both with secular and religious forms of scrupulosity. The author is a well known psychologist, and he offers pertinent diagnostic material as well as powerful insights to possible treatments. He is very respectful to the religious dimension of many of the manifestations of the problem. Black Heroes: Inspiring Stories of Resilience by Ahoy Publications This is one of the books presented by Ahoy Publications which normally produces books on trivia, but in this case it presents a series of short biographies on important individuals who fought for their own rights and the rights of the Blacks in America and also in Africa. The volume is a bit breathy at times (marveling at how good the individuals were and the depths of their struggles), but it is well worth reading. Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Billy Wellman This is a rather short but good presentation of the pharaonic era in Egypt from its origins to its death at the end of the reign of Cleopatra. The author packs a tremendous amount of information in a very short format. The Italian Renaissance by Kenneth Bartlett This is a tremendous course from the Great Courses on the birth, duration and death of the Renaissance in Italy. The author deals with the politics, the involvement of the great powers of the time (e.g. France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Vatican, etc.). It covers the important city states, e.g. Venice, Florence, Milan, etc. The professor is informative and insightful. I would highly recommend this particular course. 500 Interesting Facts about Denmark by Ahoy Publications This is one of those volumes of trivia about a certain topic, in this case the land and people of Denmark. The book is not a great revealer of insights, but it does give a lot of information that is interesting. The Civil War Anaconda Plan by Bill Wiemuth This is a short account of the project of the Northern forces during the Civil War to cut off ocean and river commerce to the South in order to starve them out of supplies. Most of the content of this book is on the efforts in the Mississippi River. The Acts of the Apostles by Laurie Brink This is a Learn25 course on the Acts of the Apostles. It gives a good outline of the material contained in this book, but I would not really say that I learned anything new from the presentation. It served more as a review of material already studied. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

April 2, 2026 Happy Holy Thursday This has been a busy Lent between parish missions and talks and podcasts and spiritual direction and some writing projects. It has all worked out, but I am not really sure how. I am the celebrant this evening for the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Then on Sunday morning I will be helping out at a local parish in Davidsonville with two Masses. They get so many people that the Church and the hall are packed for Masses at the same time. Next week the friars will gather here in Baltimore for an assembly to get us ready for our provincial chapter this coming May. We have re-elected our provincial, fr. Michael Heine, by mail ballot, and the chapter will allow us to plan what the province will do for the next four years. Starting on Divine Mercy Sunday, I will head to the shore for some days of quiet. I always love listening to the waves rolling in. I have had my latest CT scan of my lungs and everything is good. I will have the next one in six months. I have finished some reading and listening: White Flag Down by Joel Ross This is a spy story which takes place in Switzerland during World War II. It is convoluted and it involves the Swiss, Nazi Swiss collaborators, American flyers and Soviet spies. The story was good, but not great. It gets a bit too involved and desperate to heighten up the suspense at times. Edith Stein: Philosopher, Mystic and Martyr by Alex Torego This is a short biography of Edith Stein, philosopher and martyr for the faith (both her Catholic faith given that she was a Carmelite nun and the Jewish faith in which she was born). The author gives good insight into her studies and her motivation for first becoming a Catholic and then entering the Carmel. She died in Auschwitz when the Nazi’s took converted Jews from the Netherlands in retribution for a statement by the bishops condemning their treatment of the Jewish people. Oceana: Our Planet’s Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them by Ted Danson This is an account of the present state of the oceans and what humans have done to that environment and what can be done to repair some of the damage that we have caused. It deals with fishing and pollution and mining, etc. In spite of the fact that the author was an actor on Cheers, the book is well documented and insightful. Heidegger in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern This short work reminded me why I did not want to study philosophy in university. Strathern tries to present the teachings and the personality of Heidegger, but he eventually boils everything down to the idea that he is all but impossible to understand. The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox by Jonathan Tucker This is an overview both of the fight against smallpox and how the disease was eventually conquered, but also of the danger of the use of the virus for warfare purposes (and especially of the cheating of the Soviet Union/Russia on the care of the few samples of smallpox that have been conserved. American Religious History by Peter Huff This is a Learn25 presentation on the history of religious movements in the United States from its Pilgrim days up to the present. The professor is very well informed and respectful of the various religious traditions. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in the topic. The Fall of Saigon by Hourly History This is a short history of the American involvement in the War in Vietnam and the eventual failure of its effort and the fall of the South Vietnam republic and of its capital Saigon. It also deals with the confusion of the attempt to evacuate Americans and Vietnamese who were in danger for having worked for the Americans. Revolution Song by Russell Shorto This is the story of various people involved in the American Revolution. One is the British politician who led the effort to control the colonies. one is George Washington, one a freed slave, and one a native American who fought on the side of the British, one a young woman forced to marry, and finally an Albany defender of states rights. The stories are well presented and very interesting. Taj Mahal by Diana and Michael Preston This is the story behind the Taj Mahal, including the people involved in its construction, the building itself, its history, and the fate of the Shah who built it as an act of mourning for his beloved wife. It is interesting, but is filled with too much detail about who fought against whom in this or that battle. Gratitude: A Catholic’s Guide to Grace, Gratefulness and Spiritual Growth by Anthony Ciorra This is a retreat which speaks of the various dimensions of the virtue of constant gratitude in the spiritual life. Ciorra has some good insights, but at times gets into a topic which he talks to death but never fully develops. Yet, I think this course (Learn25) is well worth the listen. Invisible Heroes of World War II by Jerry Borrowman This is a series of stories about people who fought or supported the allies efforts and who never received a proper recognition for their efforts. This includes stories on the African-Americans who fought (especially the Tuskegee flyers), the women who worked as Rosy the Riveter, the Navaho Code Talkers, the spies who worked behind enemy lines, etc. Francis I by Leonie Frieda This is a biography on the king of France during the days of Henry VIII in England. Francis was filled with energy, which he sometimes used in the proper way and which sometimes drove him into grievous mistakes. The book chronicles the influence of his mother and sister, both of whom were much more intelligent than he was The book is long, but a very good read. Happy Easter fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Bel Air

March 21, 2026 Peace and Good, I have finsihed the second of the parish missions which I have preached this Lent. This one was in St. Margaret's parish in Bel Air. It is a large parish with a mission chapel not far away. On Sunday morning I preached at 8 (at the church), 9 (at the mission), 10 (at the church), 11 (at the mission) and 12 (at the church). By the end of the morning, I was not quite sure if I was coming or going. The mission went very well. It lasted from Saturday evening until Wednesday evening. I have also done a couple of lectures here at the Shrine (on Heaven, Hell and Purgatory and on the Passion Narratives in the Gospels). They are live streamed, and can be found under the YouTube site for the Shrine of St. Anthony if anyone is interested. A lot of people have told me they like to attend the talk, but then listen to it later on to see what they have missed. I will be preaching a one on one ordination retreat this week here at the Shrine for a friar who will be ordained next month. Please keep him, fr. Edgar, in your prayers. I went to the hearing doctor this week and we decided it is time to get hearing aids. I especially have difficulty with high pitched noises. I finished some reading and listening: Seabiscuit and Secretariat by Charles River Editors This is a short biography of two of the most famous racing horses in the 20th century. The first, Seabiscuit, was a sensation because it was an odd looking underdog that triumphed during the depression. The second was a well bred horse that won the triple crown. The first section is much better since it includes some material about the owners, jockey and horse itself, while the latter part is mostly a collection of race track reports on races that the horse ran. The World Turned Upside Down by Tim Grove This is the story of the battle of Yorktown in the Revolutionary War. It gives a good introduction to the events that preceded it in the war, and also of the incredible luck that surrounded the decision to fight the battle when and where it was fought. Storm Clouds over the Pacific 1931-1941 by Peter Harmsen This is the first volume in a series of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It deals with what happened before the US entered the war, so most of the material deals with the politics of Japan which became increasingly militarized through the decade of the 1930’s as well as the tensions and then war with China. Classical Mythology: the Greeks: the Modern Scholar by Peter Meineck This is a Modern Scholar presentation of the main myths of the Greeks (including the works of Homer). The professor is clearly knowledgeable and knows how to present the material in a way that is informative and relevant. Buddhism by Malcolm David Eckel This is a Great Courses presentation on the history of beliefs of Buddhism. The professor is clearly fascinated by his topic and he presents difficult ideas in which most of us can understand. It is the type of course that I would like to listen to in the future to catch what I might have missed. The Judgment of Paris by Ross King Ross King is a genius when it comes to writing books on art topics. This one deals with the rise of impressionism in Paris during the 1860’s and 1870’s. It speaks of the tensions between the artists who adopted this new form of art and those who were defending the establishment. It also speaks of the influence of politics in the era and the art produced (e.g. the reign of Napoleon III, the Franco-Prussian war). King knows how to chronicle the ins and outs of relationships among artists. The Apostle Paul: Christianity’s Original Mystic by Harvey Egan This is a Learn25 presentation of the theology of St. Paul. Egan proposes that Paul was actually a mystic who applied his insights (largely found in his letters) to the concrete situation of the communities which he evangelized. I find many of his insights very valuable, but also that sometimes he takes individual verses out of context to prove his thesis. Light of Assisi: the Story of Saint Clare by Margaret Carney This is a very well researched, very well contemplated biography of St. Clare of Assisi. Today we speak of her as the co-founder of the Franciscan movement. In spite of the fact that she lived most of her life behind cloister walls, her spirituality has had a tremendous influence upon Franciscans throughout the centuries, and especially since she has become a topic of scholarly research in these recent years. 500 Facts by Chronicles of Curiosity This is simply a collection of 500 trivia factoids. Since I like Jeopardy, this kind of book is interesting to me. My favorite factoid is that a group of parrots is called a pandemonium, while a group of flamingoes is called a flamboyance. These are facts that are of no obvious worth except for someone who is interested in all around him/her. People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman Hillerman, both Tony and his daughter Anne, has written stories about various officers of the Navaho police. This one deals with a theft of a small treasure box that leads to an investigation to a series of mysterious death and the existence of a Peyote cult and a possible witch. Hillerman is a very, very good author, and very respectful to the Navaho beliefs and life style. Robert F Kennedy by Hourly History This is one of the short biographies of the Hourly History series. It gives a good outline of the life and career of Robert F Kennedy, both as it was lived for many years in the shadow of his older brother JFK and then what he did after his brother’s death up to his own assassination in 1968. Korea: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Seth This presentation is part of the very short introduction series. In the audio version, they tend to be from three to five hours and each presents a series of short topics (usually around 10 minutes) on various aspects of the larger topic. This one deals with the history of the Korean people and state from prehistoric times to the present day. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

March 10, 2026 Peace and Good, I have been quite busy in these weeks with spiritual direction and the classes which I have offered at the Shrine in Ellicott City. I finished a four week course on the life and writings of St. Paul. I was very pleased with how it turned out. We had a good number of people each session (around 50). They had a good chemistry in their interest, their questions, and their appreciation of the topic. I also had a one time class on the meaning and customs of Lent. I have a couple more classes before Easter, and then a few between Easter and the end of June. I have preached a couple of parish missions in these weeks. The first was at the Catholic Community of Southern Baltimroe, an amalgamation of two parishes. In these days I am preaching at St. Margaret's parish, which is north of Baltimore, near the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. This is a big parish with a mission church. Deacon Herman has been a tremendous help in setting everything up, driving me from the Church to the mission, etc. On Sunday, I preached at the 8, the 9 (at the mission), the 10, the 11 (at the mission) and the 12. My latest Good News Note should be out very shortly, How to offer and receive correction. I have some preliminary ideas about future topics, but have to get caught up on some projects that are already in the hopper. Spring has finally arrived, and the last of the snow mounds are melting which feels great. I finished some reading and listening: Understanding the Periodic Table by Ron Davis This is first of all a study of the development of the periodic table and its meaning. Davis then examines the characteristics of various groups of elements on the table and why they react that way (often determined by their electron arrangement, the intensity of the bonds of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus, etc. It is a bit technical, and something that I will want to listen to again in the future to catch more of what is being shared. Eruption: the Untold Story of Mount St. Helens by Steve Olson This is the story of the before, during and aftermath of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in the state of Washington. There is a lot of attention to the precautions and lack thereof which allowed quite a few deaths during the eruption. While scientists had a fairly good idea that an eruption was to be expected, hardly anyone thought that the eruption would blow out the mountain sideways (which led to a lack of regulations in the direction of the pyroclastic flows). Celtic Mythology by Philip Freeman Freeman is an excellent author on ancient history. In this volume, he collects a series of Celtic myths (both Irish and Welsh). I have to admit that these stories are horribly violent and void of what we would call morality. The warrior is highly esteemed, while others are all but ignored. There is a heavy influence of magic and other worldly influences. These myths remind me a lot of many of the Nordic/Viking myths. The Astorians: Bold Endeavors in the Quest for Empire by Bill Wiemuth This is a short book which deals with the effort of John Jacob Astor to create a fur trading colony in the Pacific northwest at the beginnings of the 19th century. He sent two expeditions there, by sea and overland. Both of these were only somewhat successful given difficulties of travel, personalities, and the outbreak of the War of 1812. The Aeneid by Elizabeth Vandiver This is a Teaching Company course on the Aeneid, the formation epic poem produced by the Roman poet Virgin in the days of Augustus Caesar. Vandiver is very balanced in speaking of various theories concerning the work. She shows how the poem relates to Homer’s works. She further deals with the current affairs of the Roman world when the Aeneid was written. This course is very well organized and presented. Ordinary Americans in the Revolution by Richard Bell This is a Teaching Company course on a series of normal people and how the American Revolution changed their lives. Bell tries to include those who written history often ignores, e.g. workmen, women, Tories and blacks. This course is a great supplement to the histories of the Revolution usually produced which emphasize the famous men and the battles. Conquistadores: A New History of Spanish Discovery and Conquest by Fernando Cervantes This is an account of some of the famous Spanish adventurers who conquered first the islands of the Caribbean, then Mexico and finally the Incan Empire. The author tries to give a portrait of the individuals involved as well as their good and selfish motives. The author does not white wash either what they did, nor how the lands they conquered were either well governed or not. The Ancient Greek World by Jennifer Roberts and Tracey Barrett This is a short presentation (around 3 hours) on the history and culture of ancient Greece. Although it is so short, it is a good overview of the topics which it treats. I would recommend it as an introductory study of the topic. Crassus: the First Tycoon by Peter Stothard This is the story of the richest man in Rome in the days of Julius Caesar. He was part of the Triumvirate (with Caesar and Pompey). He started his career by buying up properties of those condemned to prescription during the reign of Sulla. He founded a fire company in Rome when fires were dangerous due to the fact that most buildings were made of wood. He died while trying to acquire military fame by invading the Parthian Empire (Persia). Medical Myths, Lies and Half-Truths by Dr. Steven Novella This is a Teaching Company course (24 lectures) by a doctor who examines various questions of how to avoid and fight diseases, and what effect various treatments might have (e.g. acupuncture, hypnosis). He examines folk wisdom and why it is helpful or less so. His presentations are thoughtful and very helpful. 5 Lessons from Pope Francis by Oswald Sobrino This is the second book in the series by Sobrino that I have read. The first was on Augustine, and I thought that Sobrino was using Augustine to get his own points across. In this one, I found him to give a thoughtful examination and application of some of Pope Francis’ social teaching (as proclaimed in Fratelli Tutti). He does have specific, timely application to the present day political situation in the US. Adolf Hitler by Hourly History This is a short biography of Hitler. It is very scanty at times, covering the whole World War II period in a few pages. I did not find it worthwhile reading. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

February 23, 2026 Peace and Good, These have been relatively quiet weeks. For one thing, we have been spending these past couple of weeks getting over a bad snow and ice storm. This is the longest I ever remember snow being all around in Baltimore. It was just about gone when we received another few inches last night and shut most things down again. I have been running a class on the letters of St. Paul. We have finished three of the four presentations (they are on youtube). The classes have been great, and I am really enjoying interacting with those who are attending. I also had a class on Saturday about our Lenten practices. I have begun a parish mission at the Catholic Community of South Baltimore (two combined parishes, Holy Cross and Good Counsel). We ahd to cancel tonight's talk, but I will be there again tomorrow and Wednesday. There are two other friars who will be making presentations at the Shrine in these weeks: Fr. Terrance who is from Great Britain and Bro. Douglas who is a retired teacher. I am very happy that we are presenting a whole range of topics for the people who come to the shrine, and there are more and more people showing up. Our biggest problem is parking, especially when there is snow on the ground. I have finished some reading and listening: Amelia Earhart by Charles River Editors This is a biography of the thrill-seeking woman flyer after World War I. She had great difficulty to be taken seriously, but she did astounding deeds. She eventually disappeared while on an attempt to fly around the world. In this account, she comes across as someone who refused to follow anyone else’s rules, whether it concern her flying or even her marriage. Year without Summer by Hourly History At the beginning of the 19th century, there was a great explosion of Mt. Tambora in what is today Indonesia. Although very few people in the West knew of this event, its effects caused enormous climatic (and eventually political) changes. There was so much dust in the atmosphere that the summer of 1815 was cold and rainy, and most crops were destroyed in the field. The least destructive effect of the explosion were brilliantly red sunsets, seen in the paintings of a number of artists such as Constable. Meister Eckhart: Unlocking a Mystic’s Spiritual Wisdom by Donald Goergen Meister Eckhart is a German mystical theologian from the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century. He was a Dominican, and famous for his brilliant but somewhat controversial theological pronouncements. He emphasized the unknowability of God and how we must give up our desires to define God in our own terms. This Learn25 presentation has its good moments, but it gets caught up in ideas that the author doesn’t really explain as clearly as he could have. Innocent Graves by Peter Robinson This is a detective novel set in England. A young girl is killed, and her body is found in a graveyard. The police (who are intelligent and yet a bit flawed in a very human way) must sift through the varied clues in the story (as well as class prejudices due to the fact that the young girl comes from an aristocratic family). The characters are believable, and one can identify with many of them. The plot is well developed. I would certainly read more of Robinson’s books. Farewell the Trumpets by Jan Morris This is the story of the origin of the British Empire, its mechanisms and attitudes while it was at its height, and the eventual end of the empire. The book is written by a person who sees both the good in the empire and its shortfalls. While he speaks with a bit of nostalgia about it, he nevertheless understands how it had outlived its usefulness. Old English Literature by Rene Trilling This is a Great Courses presentation. It speaks about the original languages of Great Britain and how they interacted with new languages brought by invasions (e.g. Latin, Anglo-Saxon, Danish and French). The parts about the myths and sagas and even the legal documents were very good, but the grammar lessons on Old English (only two of them) were a bit of a waste. Japanese History: 500 Interesting Facts by Ahoy Publications This is part of a series of books that present 500 factoids on various topics. This one deals with the history of Japan from its earliest days to the present. I enjoy this type of book for it reminds me of what I learn when I watch Jeopardy on TV. Hearing, Tasting, Touching: Understanding the World Through our Senses by Rolf Nelson This is a Modern Scholar study of the human (and also of some animal) senses. He speaks of the organs which process the various senses, of difficulties with them and what causes this, and of sense possessed by other animals that humans might actually have to a lesser degree (e.g. echolocation of bats, the ability to sense magnetic fields of birds, etc.). The Parthenon by Mary Beard Mary Beard is an excellent archeologist of the Greco-Roman world. This volume deals with the history of the Parthenon in Athens. It speaks of the ancient origins of the buildings on the Acropolis, their use in later times (under the Christians and the Muslims), and their condition today. She necessarily has to deal with the question of the Elgin marbles, carved pieces that were taken from the Parthenon and now housed in the British museum. Unlike many other archeologists, Beard is respectful of all of the various ages of use of this temple (e.g. its days as a Church and as a Mosque). The History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer This is a magnificent collection of small essays on various events and personages of the Middle Ages. It does not only deal with Europe, but rather includes the Arab world, Persia, India, China, Korea and Japan. Each of the essays is about 10 to 20 minutes, and they follow a logical chronological order. Bauer has written two other similar volumes dealing with Ancient times and the Renaissance, and I fully intend to listen to them. Great World Religions: Hinduism by Mark Muesse This is a Great Courses presentation on the beliefs of those who call themselves Hindu. Muesse makes it clear that this title is a Western term that is used to describe a vast collection of people and beliefs that have similarities but which do not really have a credal belief. He also speaks of the foundational texts most Hindus use. The presentation is very thorough and respectful. Ancient Sicily by Charles River Editors This short book covers the history of Sicily from its earliest days to the settlements of Greeks and Carthaginians to the arrival and conquest of the Romans. We see the culture of the Sicilians, the rise of tyrants, and the many battles fought for the conquest of this grain rich area. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude